The Salem Lady Wildcats overcame a 10-4 deficit after the first quarter and a brief time trailing in the 4th but hit enough free throws down the stretch to beat Pinckneyville 54-45. Salem shot 15 of 19 from the line in the final quarter alone. They were 20-of-26 for the game. Kayla Felgenhaur was huge in the fourth hitting 6 of 8 from the line. Emma Gregg led all scorers as she scored 24 including 10 in the 2nd quarter. Salem’s defense forced 21 turnovers thanks in part to the play of guard Natalie Lee who was great at the top of the defense. Coach Megan Kessler was proud of her teams fight and told WJBD/WSIQ after the game that free throws were big and they were finally patient on offense which she was thrilled with.
Salem will play Cairo in the title game at 4:30 on WJBD today after they knocked off Christopher 65-49. Woodlawn defeated DuQuoin 55-43 and Sesser Valier over Murphysboro 50-23.
The first game of the day will begin at noon with the 7th place game between Murphysboro and DuQuoin. Sesser Valier and Woodlawn will play for 5th place at 1:30, Pinckneyville and Christopher play for 3rd at 3 before the championship game with Salem and Cairo at 4:30 on WJBD.
The Centralia Tournament finishes up today with a full slate of games. At 11, Centralia will take on Teutopolis followed at 12:30 by Highland and Mater Dei. Then tonight at 4pm it’s TTown and Highland with Centralia and Mater Dei finishing the tournament at 5:30.
At the Pana Turkey Tournament, Christ Our Rock fell to Olney 27-17.
Also last night in girls hoops, Civic Memorial beat Rochester 49-23, Carlyle over Greenville 49-24, Mattoon beat Gillespie 74-50, Mt Zion over Jacksonville 70-15.
